VIRTUAL TOUR
2011
7 AprA PLEBEIAN NIGHT SPECKLED WITH ‘LOVE AND DEATH’
Kuala Lumpur, 07 Apr, 2011 - UCSI University students undertaking Introduction to English Literature, recently held an on-stage performance of Shakespeare’s masterpieces, ‘Julius Caeser’ and ‘Romeo and Juliet,’ at the University’s Auditorium, Kuala Lumpur Campus. With the main aim of enabling students to delve deeper into the characters of the plays, the theatrical presentation also aligns with the University’s aspirations of affording the students a holistic learning environment that incorporates theoretical coursework with practical opportunities.
With two months to rehearse and stage their show, the students made their debuts in the abbreviated versions of the plays before their peers and staff of the University. Understandably, the 21 ‘rising stars’ were indeed anxious yet excited on that day. “The toughest part was trying to get the group together for practices but we all have good chemistry with one another and that made it so much more fun,” said Sukhbir Singh who played the role of Cassius in Julius Caesar.
“We enjoyed it so much that we are thinking of re-producing ‘Othello’ in conjunction with our University’s 25th Anniversary celebrations,” he added.
Zhu Xiao Xiao, a student from China, who played Romeo, also expressed her delight; “There were times when I felt like giving up because of the language barrier, but it was actually really fun and I did learn a lot from my lecturer and classmates in the process.”
On the same note, Brigid Chepkosgei from Kenya said it was a refreshing experience as it helped her get better acquainted with her classmates from different countries that she might have found difficult to approach otherwise. “Being far away from home for the first time has not been easy, but this whole journey has helped me shape the way I see and perceive things,” she explained.
Both performances saw the students transforming the bold plays by Shakespeare into something endearing and captivating. It not only resonated on an emotional level with audiences but also explored and debated the basic elements of humanity with much archaic verbal embellishments.
Ivy Carbon Esteban, a Senior Lecturer with the English Department of UCSI University who was really pleased with the students for showcasing good team work also applauded their worthy efforts. “Although it took much effort, the students are very talented and more importantly eager to learn,” she said.
“Shakespeare was a difficult tradition to break. That’s why we are thinking of ‘Othello’ to mark our 25th anniversary celebrations,” she added.
